Suzuki GSF400 Bandit model history
1989—

I have tried to tell the Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit model history on this page as I know it. I would be grateful of any contributions — sales brochures, magazine ads, magazine articles, pictures, specs, facts, corrections etc. Please scan the material in JPEG format (large enough that all the details are visible) and send them to me. Please tell me the source and the publication date if possible. If you send me pictures of your own bike, please follow these instructions.

The Bandit 250 and Bandit 400, launched in 1989, had a liquid-cooled inline-four engines, mounted on trellis (steel) frame. The high-reving engines are derived from the GSX-R250 and GSX-R400 with lots of power for their sizes, the Bandit 250 had about 45 bhp, the 400cc version about 59 bhp. Both models had 4 to 1 exhaust systems and disc brakes (the 400 had double disc at the front, the 250 had single disc). Both versions were soon available even with top fairing (sold with the addition ”Limited” on the model name) and later even with an optional variable exhaust timing (addition ”V”), otherwise the model has remained, on the whole, unchanged.

1989 Suzuki year code: K

The initial model of the Bandit 400 is quite easy to recognize from its dark brown colored front forks. The same type of front forks appeared again in 1992 but then the brake discs had different design. Colors available: Black, Red. Presented in Japan: June 1989.

GSF 400 Bandit 1989 Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 59 hp/ 12.000 rpm, 3,9 kg-m/ 10.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1990 Suzuki year code: L

The 1990 year's Bandit 400 had silver-coated front forks. A Limited version with top fairing, Blue/Silver color scheme, Blue frame, Black wheels and the engine had polished aluminum clutch and alternator covers. Colors available: Black, Silver/Blue (Limited). Presented in Japan: November 1989 (Limited), July 1990 (standard).

GSF 400 Bandit Limited 1990 Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 172 kg (378 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 59 hp/ 12.000 rpm, 3,9 kg-m/ 10.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

1991 Suzuki year code: M

In 1991 the Bandit 400 models came with an optional variable exhaust valve timing to boost midrange. You can tell these models by the red cam cover, Black wheels and the letter V in the model name. The Bandit 400 Limited had Silver-coated frame and Red/Black color scheme, The ”standard” V model (available in Red with silver frame and Black wit Black frame) had Red brake discs at the front. According to Roy Bacon's book of Suzuki the GSF400 Bandit was introduced for 1991, supossedly to the UK market. The picture showed a model with single front brake disc (similar to the GSF250 Bandit) and Black coated exhaust system. Was this a (restricted learner version?) Brittish economy model, I don't know. In Germany the GSF400 Bandit had better brakes at the front and the exhaust system was Chromed, as in Japan. But the rear mirrors were round. Power restricted to 50 hp. Presented in Japan: February 1991 (standard), June 1991 (V), August 1991 (Limited V).

GSF 400 Bandit Limited V 1991 Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 176 kg (387 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 59 hp / 12.000 rpm, 3,9 kg-m/ 10.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSF 400 Bandit V 1991 Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 172 kg (378 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 59 hp / 12.000 rpm, 3,9 kg-m/ 10.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSF 400 Bandit 1991 (UK version) Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. Click on the image for larger format. Here's even larger picture.

GSF 400 Bandit 1991 (German version) Overall Length: 2 055 mm (80.9 in) Overall Width: 705 mm (27.8 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 430 mm (56.3 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air/oil-cooled 399 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 50 hp (37 kW)/ 10.600 rpm, 38 Nm/ 9.600 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

Several models and years are still missing from this page. I will put more pictures and stuff here when I find suitable material. Please send me material (JPEGs, facts, specs, brochure scans etc.) if you can!

1995 Suzuki year code: S

GSF 400 Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1995 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 055 mm (41.5 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 167 kg (367 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

1997 Suzuki year code: V

GSF 400 V Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 V Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 060 mm (41.7 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 VZ Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 115 mm (43.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. Click on the image for larger format.

GSF 400 VZ Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 115 mm (43.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 VZ Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 115 mm (43.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 VZ Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 115 mm (43.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

GSF 400 VZ Bandit 1997 Overall Length: 2 050 mm (80.7 in) Overall Width: 720 mm (28.3 in) Overall Height: 1 115 mm (43.9 in) Wheelbase: 1 410 mm (55.5 in) Dry Weight: 168 kg (370 lbs) Engine type: Air and oil-cooled 398 cc inline-4, DOHC, 16 valves. 53 hp/ 11.000 rpm, 3,8 kg-m/ 9.500 rpm. No larger picture available.

Several models and years are still missing from this page. I will put more pictures and stuff here when I find suitable material. Please send me material (JPEGs, facts, specs, brochure scans etc.) if you can!

 

More: Suzuki Bandit 250-400 info in Japanese

More: Suzuki Bandit 400 brochure scans

More: Suzuki Bandit 400V brochure scans

More: Suzuki GSF Bandit series

More: All Suzuki models

This free site is managed by Jarmo Haapamäki.
If you find this site helpful, please leave a donation for Jarmo
so you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Came here from a search engine?
Click at the home button below to get to the main page with frames.